These easy to make napkins are ideal for a summer luncheon, picnic, or handmade hostess gift. Stitch a set of four napkins in an hour or less with my sew-easy mitered corner technique. Showcase your favorite fabrics by mixing or matching fabric groupings, or make them from one fabric.

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55 Comments

I would do some summer theme fabrics that all coordinate. I think some summer fruits or picnic style prints would look great!

Mary EllenJuly 8, 2016

I love iris’ flowers so I would make that my summer napkin theme. Floral fabrics are uplifting and perfect for summer time. Thanks for the miter lesson.

Linda RupeJuly 6, 2016

I always use primary colors for summer tablecloths and napkins. I sometimes think I will use something different, but always find myself drawn to the primary colors. The prints vary: dots, stripes, checks (love gingham!) and plaids are favored.

Bev HancoxJuly 6, 2016

Thanks for the easy way to do mitered corners, wish I knew this years ago. I would make woven plaid napkins so both sides would look nice.

Judy GJuly 6, 2016

I’m partial to sunny yellow for a summertime dinner setting. I would need to go to the fabric shop (oh darn!) to find a nice reversible fabric in either cotton or linen.

I would love to sew these in an ocean print to remind myself of the beach.

MarieJuly 6, 2016

I only use cloth napkins in my home and I love giving hand made napkins as gifts. At my first visit to a friend’s home I quietly take notice of their decor and treasured keepsakes. I then go on the hunt for fabric that will compliment their homes and they will be happy to put on their tables. It’s my way of saying, “You are loved.” I also try to find unique napkin holders that will coordinate with my gift napkins.
I’ve tried other techniques, but prefer perfectly mitered corners. Nancy’s ‘never-fail’ tutorials are my go-to first stop for all my sewing needs. Thank you, Nancy.

Nancy ZiemanJuly 6, 2016

HI Marie, Thanks for the compliment.

Lynn HumphriesJuly 5, 2016

I have 10 napkins cut now for my daughter that should look great with her everyday table settings. I don’t usually miter, but I plan to give it a try.

Definitely a bandana print for napkins and a tablecloth for a picnic basket set I want to make for my neighbor who is always doing something for us. Thank you for all the wonderful lessons, always so practical and helpful.

Lillian KJuly 5, 2016

I am going to make Thanksgiving and Christmas themed napkins.

Linda M.July 5, 2016

I would like to make them out of birthday fabric and use them on each person’s special day.

Mary WippoldJuly 5, 2016

Gingham is one of my favorites for napkins-so versatile. A combination of blue and red gingham napkins for the Fourth of July.
For summer I’d like to make napkins from fruit themed fabrics-I’m thinking watermelon in particular.

E. AnnJuly 5, 2016

I would use batiks. Maybe different colors that compliment each other. Would love to win this book!!!

Sherry BartlettJuly 5, 2016

I would start with blue and yellow to match my decor in my dining room. Then I would move on to gifts for family and friends. Would love to win the book on sewing rectangles and squares.

I love this method! So much easier than a double miter.
I will use some orange batiks for a friend I test knit for…she always uses cloth napkins.

Karen PattersonJuly 5, 2016

I love the gingham fabrics for table Napkins. Thank you for your instructions on making napkins…..I hope to make some sets for gifts. I love to make gifts for friends and family. I think it gives that personal and special touch to the gift. Anyone can purchase a gift, but the hours of love as well as the funds invested makes it extra special for the one to receive it. I love all of your tuturiols and books and am always ready to learn more. Thank you again Nancy!

Chris MooreJuly 5, 2016

Definitely a woven plaid, (strong color on both sides,) that coordinates with a floral tablecloth! Think “outside the box” & surprise your guests!

Peg GJuly 5, 2016

I teach kids 8-14 how to sew and this would make a great project for them. We’d probably use some homespun plaid so both sides of the napkins would look good.

beth danielsJuly 5, 2016

I would probably pick a flower cotton fabric for some napkins that is in my fabric stash.

BonnyeJuly 5, 2016

I would make napkins out of a yellow floral print. Just right for a summer tea party.

Jan N.July 5, 2016

My favorite fabrics are batiks so I would make napkins for my family using batiks. I’m going to make napkins for some friends for Christmas and will most likely use fruit/veggie fabric from my stash.

EllJuly 5, 2016

The napkins would look good in a toile fabric.

PattiJuly 5, 2016

I’m planning for Christmas gifts already, and will make four sets for the seasons. I have some lovely fall leaves, a fun red and green stripe, an all over floral and a cheerful red, white and blue print. These will make a terrific gift for my in-laws.

Anne Z.July 5, 2016

This time of year I would make napkins out of a beautiful floral fabric.

RosieJuly 5, 2016

I think a beautiful summer floral or a blue check would be beautiful for a summer table.

CandiceJuly 5, 2016

I recently purchased vinyl tablecloth fabric for picnic tables, so I’m going to use coordinated colors to make these and use as accents on the table for food placement, or the “silverware”, plates, etc. One set will be WSU Cougars!

L WatsonJuly 5, 2016

I think a fun summer print with a robins egg blue background, with a print of birds, branches and leaves would be a pretty complement to a summer picnic or luncheon.

AngieJuly 5, 2016

I want to make these great napkins with some cute 1930s fabric!

JudithJuly 5, 2016

We are having a wedding shower this summer, it is to be an afternoon teas outside in the yard. I think these napkins would give a beautiful added touch. Thank you.

Diane CJuly 5, 2016

First would probably be a fall print, but then I could see making napkins for all different seasons/holidays.

CherylJuly 5, 2016

I am teaching my granddaughter, Avery, to sew and this would be a perfect beginner project. She can make napkins for the next party she plans with her character prints and the guests can take them home for favors.

Priscilla SniderJuly 5, 2016

I have so much fabric in my stash, I don’t know where I’d begin. Always looking for small fund raising projects, as I am a major fundraiser for American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and Ride For Roswell–bicycle ride fundraiser for cancer institute in Buffalo, NY. Thanks!

A blue or green toile for fabric with calming colors that are light and airy-very appropriate for those “lazy, crazy days of summer.

Shirley ClarkJuly 5, 2016

I love these and all of your tutorials! I love handmade napkins to dress up the table because you can pic the prints that match your decor the best!

PatJuly 5, 2016

I’d make these napkins in a fabric I found that matches my vinyl place mats for my round patio table. I was lucky to find this fabric on sale and have always intended to make napkins. Now I have an easy and attractive way to complete this project.

StarlaJuly 5, 2016

I hope mitering will come naturally to me someday. Right now, I have to think hard to do it! Thanks for the tips.

BonnieJuly 5, 2016

What a great quick sewing project! Thanks for sharing your easy mitered corner technique. I have a colorful butterfly fabric that would make lovely napkins for the summer. Sewing napkins in seasonal fabric would add a festive touch throughout the year.

LindaCJuly 5, 2016

I host a spring dinner for family so I would use spring colors to make coordinating napkins.

Susan SpiersJuly 5, 2016

Love the gingham fabric-bright & cheery on its own-I have colors of purple, yellow, baby blue & pink! Great idea!

Linda E in AZJuly 5, 2016

I have some fabric with chile peppers on it that would make great summer napkins.
thanks!

My first choice is going to be using Christmas fabrics and make several Christmas gifts for friends, family and even myself! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tutorial! I know I will be using it for many other seasons, gifts and holidays throughout the year!

KarenJuly 5, 2016

I sew with my grandson and we have a stash of scraps in fun juvenile prints. We’re making a “collection of kid napkins” (9″ square) to help the enviornment like Nature Cat!

MarshaJuly 5, 2016

I will do napkins for the all seasons. Also for birthdays, anniversaries for those special people in my life. The fabric selections at my favorite quilt store will be a big hit. Thank you for all your wonderful ideas. You make sewing so much fun.

NinaJuly 5, 2016

Blue and yellow napkins. My favorite combination

Tina JeoJuly 5, 2016

I need some Christmas napkins! Thank you for the idea.

CyndiJuly 5, 2016

With all of the wonderful fabrics now available, I love to make “fun” napkins for all occasions. A friend purchased a big screen T.V. for “the big game”, I brought a basket of munchies and included napkins with Team logos. They were a hit! Thank you for the give-away!

ThunderJuly 5, 2016

I think something with a crazy bright print design would be lots of fun. Great cornet tip! Thanks

Cindy SchultzJuly 5, 2016

I think some fabric with bikes on it would make a really fun napkin.
Thanks for sharing this idea, it looks pretty doable. I made a couple dozen or so napkins a few years ago for my son’s wedding. I really struggled trying to make them. I wish I would have seen this method then. Thanks again.

Pam HoppJuly 5, 2016

Napkins for holidays should be at the top of my list, followed by seasons.

Margaret MortonJuly 5, 2016

First, a fall print fabric that I’m also using for a table runner. Then, Christmas and other holiday fabrics.

Kimberly HubbardJuly 5, 2016

I love these napkins Nancy! Our family is trying to be kinder to the environment and this is a beautiful way to help the environment and eliminate more paper use in our home. Thank you!